corporate social responsibility Archives

Benbert Beniero kindly donates enough money to buy a bus for the GSF Village.

By DR June Sanico Leave a comment 23 Oct 2018

The generosity from Benbert Beniero now means that the children are able to get to school every day. Already in just a few months, the attendance levels have quadrupled. The parents told us that they can now go to work knowing that their children are able to get to and from school safely.

Thank you Benbert for helping give these children the opportunity to attend school and get the education that they so deserve.

In this video, Benbert visits the GSF Village and attends a ‘blessing of the bus’. Whilst there he was also a judge at the Super Lolo and Super Lola competition too!Â

Amy Leverson-Gower visits the GSF Village.

By DR June Sanico Leave a comment 22 Aug 2018

One of our GSF Board of Directors, Amy Leverson-Gower visited the GSF Village in June to see how the families were doing since she last saw them in January.Â

As she walked around the village she noticed that their houses were immaculate and the gardens were flourishing. This community haveÂ really embracedÂ their new homes and lifeÂ in the village. There was a real sense of pride as she was shown around by some of the families. Livelihood programmes are in place with mushroom farming, MoringaÂ plants being grown and their own produce outside each house; runner beans, tomatoes and more.Â

Before leaving she also made a visit to the Capinahan School to see the children happy in their new classrooms. Â It was a very rewarding visit to the village as you can see from the video:

Central Philippines University Elementary Department visit the GSF Village

By DR June Sanico Leave a comment 13 Aug 2018

Every Saturday, the team from Central Philippines University drive to the village from Iloilo City, and this week they turned up with lots of donated books and other school materials for the children. Â This is soÂ generous and thoughtful ofÂ CPU who have done so much for the children already.Â The children are very fortunate to have access to so many wonderful learning books and we are very grateful.Â

Once they had handed out all the books, and the children had a good look through them, it was then time for a short seminar on Dengue Fever. Â It is now the raining season in the Philippines so Dengue Fever is rife. They taught them how best to try and protect themselves against being bitten and what signs to look out for should they have it.Â

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne tropical disease caused by the dengue virus. Symptoms typically begin three to fourteen days after infection. This may include a high fever, headache, vomiting, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash.

Thank you CPU for your continued support and advice to the families in the village.

“MOVIE NIGHT” in the GSF Village.

By DR June Sanico Leave a comment 1 Mar 2018

Our lovely families have built up such a wonderful community spirit living in the village. They have all come together to watch movies under the stars!Â

On WednesdayÂ night the children, mothers and fathers sat and watched, “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children”Â onÂ the big screen, that DR set up for them outside the GSF office.Â

They were all so excited that the GSF team have decided to hold Movie Night every Wednesday. Â The families do not have TV’s so it is heart-warming to hear the children giggling, the parents laughing and everyone so happy.

Metro Iloilo Water District donate 100 Water tanks to the Village.

By DR June Sanico Leave a comment 20 Feb 2018

Mr Teddy Robles, the President of Central Philippines University who is on the board of Iloilo Water District attended the Opening Ceremony in January. Whilst walking around the village he noted that the beneficiaries would really benefit from a water tank at each house to help them saveÂ water during the hot dry summer months.

On his return to Iloilo he wrote a letter toÂ Metro Iloilo Water SupplyÂ asking if they could help. As part of the CompanyÂ CSR and giving back to the community they have kindly donated 100 water tanks to the village.Â

Sir Al Orbista from Metro Iloilo Water came to the village last week to hand over the water containers to each family. Â He talked about how his Company filter the water from source to the consumers making sure it is clean. The containers normally cost 1,500 pesos so this donation is extremely generous.Â

Thank you very much toÂ Mr Teddy Robles, Sr Levy Delos Santos and Sir Al Orbista for your continued support toÂ our families. Â

“Children’s Day in the Village”

By DR June Sanico Leave a comment 6 Feb 2018

Last Saturday, the children from the village all came together for a day of pure excitement. In their eyes it was Christmas all over again!Â Â

Our lovely Clients, Greg and Learn to TradeÂ Staff had brought presents to the village when they were there for the opening ceremony in January. The day itself was packed full of excitement as it was, so it was felt that we should wait a month and then surprise the children with all these amazing gifts.Â Â

To make the day even more exciting, games were played with the presents as prizes, raffles were drawn and dance competitions held to showcase their talents.

To make sure it was fair, every child received a toy, a book, a pen, educational material and some clothing.

On behalf of us all here at GSF, and the Children, thank you to everyone that kindly donated. Â The children were so happy and appreciative of everything that has been given to them.Â

In this short clip, they are actually shouting, “Thank you!”Â

“All in a week’s work”

By DR June Sanico Leave a comment 23 Nov 2017

All in a week’s work …..Â

Greg and his team have shown us how it can be done, all in just ONE WEEK! It is the pure passion in Greg that just comes naturally to him, to help everyone in his path and to help make a difference.Â

This is how hisÂ week unfoldedÂ …. On MondayÂ the team left London Heathrow and flew to Dubai and then connected onto Manila. In Manila they were joined byÂ our Ambassador, Ms Angelia Ong and they all flew on to Iloilo. Â After an overnight in Iloilo they then flew to Lemery and then drove to the GSF village.Â

On arriving at the village, there was a buzz in the air – Mr Secker is here. The beneficiaries followed Greg around the village, not letting him out of their sight! Â After a fantastic community lunch, cooked by the mothers of the village, the team were then entertained with dancing, games and a christmas tree decoration competition. Who was going to win 1st prize?

Whilst in the village, Greg wasÂ also being filmed for a pilot for a documentary which is about encouraging other successful entrepreneurs to integrate the gift of Â giving into their “business as normal”. If Greg can house 500 people .. there are certainly a lot more entrepreneurs out there who can do the same. Â

Meanwhile in the village, Dean and Angelia did some story telling. Dean had written a book for the children of the village and with Angelia’s help translating it into Filipino they soonÂ had the children giggling away.

After spending a day and a half inÂ the GSF village it was time for the team to visit the school that the Foundation have pledged to help for the next 10 years.Â Â Capanihan School is 2km from the GSF village. Â Over the next few months we will build toilet facilities, an ICT computer training centre, a playground, a full refurbishment of the entire school and full catering forÂ the children.

It was time for the team to bid farewell to the community and set off back to Manila to join Bill and Tani Austin from the Starkey Hearing Foundation, where they helped fit hearing aids to children that were deaf. To assist in the giving of a gift of hearing was a very emotional day with many of the team in floods of tears as the child gave the thumbs up as he or she heard for the first time in their life. Â

The team had two more important visits to make before flying homeÂ – one was the House of Refuge Orphanage where Greg had sponsored the build of the medical centre, named after his late Grandmother, The Maud Clinic. They firstly stocked up with presents and then went and caught up with all the children. Â And secondly, to personally thank all the wonderful Learn to Trade employees who have raised a fantastic amount of money towards the construction of the village.Â

After five days it was time for the flight home …. Manila – Dubai – London.

Â “All in a week’s work!” – Greg Secker – you are a true inspiration to us all.Â

Giving to Charity Good for Business Survey Finds

By DR June Sanico Leave a comment 7 Sep 2017

New research from the Greg Secker Foundation and YouGov finds 54% of UK respondents believe UK businesses should give a percentage of annual profit to charity by law.Â

LONDON, UK, September 5, 2017 â€“ New research from social development charity, the Greg Secker Foundation, has revealed 54% of UK respondents believe UK businesses should be required to give a percentage of their annual profits to charity by law, outlining a strong moral obligation for businesses within the UK. The research â€“ conducted among over 2,000 UK adults (+18) â€“ questioned public opinion on whether UK businesses are doing enough for charities. The results show many UK businesses are missing a trick by not focusing more of their efforts on philanthropic activities.

The findings revealed donating a small percentage of annual profits (up to 5%) to charity would significantly better the image of the business to consumers. If consumers knew a UK business gave 5% of its annual profits to charity:

43% would have a more positive opinion of the company
20% would use this company over competitors companies
17% would recommend the company to friends/family

The research also found donating a percentage of profits isnâ€™t the only option for businesses, with 41% of those surveyed believing businesses should be doing more for charity as a whole. Offering pro-bono services that map back to the businessâ€™ specific area of expertise came out on top with 25% of respondents wanting to see more of this. Donating more of their profits followed with 24% and upskilling members of the community 21%.

â€œUK businesses are already doing excellent work for the third sector, and the governmentâ€™s tax relief incentives are certainly a step in the right direction. However, what these results show is there is public appetite for more, both morally and legally,â€ said Greg Secker, founder of the Greg Secker Foundation. â€œTime and time again we see the benefits a thorough corporate social responsibility programme offers businesses, with the figures here speaking for themselves. By simply donating a small percentage of annual profits to charity, businesses are able to increase brand loyalty, positively shift perceptions, and increase their potential customer pool, all the while helping a good cause. We would just like to encourage businesses to keep the third sector in mind because helping out is good for business.â€

Research Methodology

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2191 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 22nd – 23rd August 2017. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+). References to “UK businesses”, relate to private sector businesses of 50 or more employees.

Putting Angelia to work 😉

By Rachel Ainsworth Leave a comment 11 Aug 2017

Well as you can imagine, Angelia has been put straight to work in the foundation as our new Ambassador. After helping Greg move Nena and her two sons last week, Angelia has been keen to keep the ball rolling.

She started by giving a message of encouragement to the beneficiaries and the newly elected Village Officers. She spoke about her advocacy to save mother nature, and that being poor is not wrong unless you strive to have a better life for your family and children. â€˜We can, so we willâ€™ â€“ Her slogan from winning Miss Earth in 2015. Our Beneficiaries were so amazed by her beauty and words. And as she spoke in their mother tongue she oozed sincerity.

Next Angelia planted a Narra tree which is the National tree of the Philippines and a symbol to welcome her in to the Foundation. Â

Alya our social worker, showed Angelia the new crÃ¨che. This is mainly used so our builders, contractors and otherÂ workers on site, have a safe place for their children to be cared for during the day. Alya did such a great job making the crÃ¨che an inviting and friendly place for the children â€“ Thanks Alya.

Angelia handed out plastic toy gardening tools to the children, so they could learn how to plant and grow fruit and vegetables. These type of life skills are so important for them to be self sufficient, and really will help give them the best start in life.

In addition to the crÃ¨che we have converted some of the houses into class rooms temporarily. Teachers from the CPU (Central Philippines University), have been teaching Saturday classes every week all the way from Kindergarten to Grade Six. Angelia and Greg left little pre-school kitsÂ for the kids, this included work books, exercise books, reading books and Â colouring books.

They also left aÂ lovely message on the chalk board to motivate and inspire the children. Alya showed them the tables and chairs in the classrooms as these were all made by our beneficiary fathers. Â

We are so grateful to have Angelia on board, and can see the impact she will make is huge.

Thanks again from all of us at GSF.

Rescuing Raymond – The Emergency Trip

By Rachel Ainsworth 1 Reply 7 Aug 2017

Are you ready for an emotional roller coaster? I hope youâ€™ve got a box of tissues close by!

Last week, we were having our foundation update call as normal. DR our project co-ordinator based in the Philippines alerted us about a flood, that had affected one of our beneficiary families due to move into the village later this year.

Nena the mother, her two boys Rodolfo and Raymond and her beautiful baby granddaughter.

Raymond was blinded in an accident at the age of 10 and after the boyâ€™s Father passed away, despite being completely blind, Raymond became the familyâ€™s main bread-winner.Â Due to his disability, he is completely dependent on his brother Rodolfo for his every need and every day they both walk for over an hour to the next town where Rodolfo helps Raymond find a safe place to sit, so he can spend the day begging for money. Meanwhile Rodolfo rents a bicycle with a sidecar and uses it as a taxi to ferry people around the town.

Together in a day they earn enough money to put food on the table for just one single day.

Their home is made from Bamboo and scrap wood and located next to the Capinahan river. When the river flooded their wooden home was damaged and all their belongings ruined. With this news Greg organised to fly out and offer them some immediate support taking with him Dean Russell, Team Lead for the trip.Â

Now a little side noteâ€¦

The Greg Secker Foundation has been in regular conversations with Angelia Ong aÂ Chinese FilipinoÂ model andÂ beauty queenÂ who was crownedÂ Miss Philippines Earth 2015Â and was later crowned asÂ Miss Earth 2015. Born in Manilla but raised in Iloilo City she had heard of our foundation and strongly believed in the work we are doing! We decided to approach her with a view to making her an Ambassador.

We are very pleased to announce that she accepted! With Gregâ€™s short notice trip to help Nena and her family he called in the troops, including Angelia.

They met in Manilla and flew down to Lemery together. A helicopter was the quickest way to get them to Iloilo where DR picked them up and took them straight to Nena, Raymond and Rodolfo.

This is what they saw..

Greg comforted them and promised them he wouldnâ€™t leave before making their living situation safer.

Greg had an idea, but needed more helping hands! He took the GSF team back to the village to speak to the contractors working on site and the beneficiaries tidying. They decided on a well know process called Bayanihan system, this is a Filipino custom derived from a Filipino word â€œbayanâ€, which means nation, town or community. The term bayanihanÂ itself literally means â€œbeing in a bayanâ€, which refers to the spirit of communal unity, work and cooperation to achieve a particular goal. Bayanihan also comes fromÂ the word “bayani” which means ‘hero’. It can also mean that by helping one another, we can be each other’s hero.

It took three trucks to bring the willing volunteers back to Nena. Then this happenedâ€¦

We are so pleased to announce that the house move into the village was successful and Nena and her family are now safe from future floods.

As you can imagine this caught the attention of the media! They have promised to share with us some footage of the day so keep your eyes out for this on our Facebook page.

A big thank you to all of our GSF team, contractors and beneficiaries for all your hard work and help on this trip! We have shown thatâ€¦

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